1. Academic Validation
  2. The effects of fexofenadine on eosinophilia and systemic anaphylaxis in mice infected with Trichinella spiralis

The effects of fexofenadine on eosinophilia and systemic anaphylaxis in mice infected with Trichinella spiralis

  • Int Immunopharmacol. 2004 Mar;4(3):367-75. doi: 10.1016/j.intimp.2003.10.009.
Naohiro Watanabe 1 Emiko Matsuda Akiko Masuda Koichi Nariai Toshiaki Shibasaki
Affiliations

Affiliation

  • 1 Department of Tropical Medicine, Jikei University School of Medicine, 3-25-8 Nishi-Shinbashi, Minato, Tokyo 105-8461, Japan. naohiro@jikei.ac.jp
Abstract

Background: The effects of the non-impairing, H(1)-receptor antagonist fexofenadine were investigated in in vivo mouse models of eosinophilia and systemic anaphylaxis.

Methods: Eosinophilia was investigated in C57BL/6 mice (n=5 per group) infected with Trichinella spiralis, with and without administration of fexofenadine HCl (5, 10 and 20 mg/kg/day). Eosinophilia was also studied, with and without fexofenadine administration, in mice with a congenital mast-cell deficiency (W/W(v)) and controls (+/+). The effect of fexofenadine HCl (20 mg/kg/day) on IL-5 and eotaxin blood levels was also investigated in C57BL/6 mice. In a separate model, systemic anaphylaxis was induced in C57BL/6 mice using T. spiralis antigen. Fexofenadine HCl (5, 10 and 20 mg/kg) or vehicle was administered 20 min before antigen challenge (n=5 per group). The effect of fexofenadine on systemic anaphylaxis caused by IgE and anti-IgE was also examined in CBF1 mice injected with serum from NC/Nga mice with high IgE levels. Rectal temperature was measured as an indicator of anaphylaxis.

Results: In C57BL/6 mice, repetitive oral administration of fexofenadine HCl (5, 10 and 20 mg/kg/day) resulted in dose-dependent suppression of eosinophilia (p<0.05-0.0001). No suppression was observed in mast-cell deficient W/W(v) mice. In addition, single oral administration of fexofenadine HCl (10 and 20 mg/kg) significantly suppressed the decrease in rectal temperature (p<0.01), a marker for systemic anaphylaxis, in C57BL/6 mice. In CBF1 mice injected with serum from NC/Nga mice with high IgE levels, the decrease in rectal temperature was suppressed by single administration of fexofenadine HCl (10 and 20 mg/kg; p<0.01 and p<0.001, respectively). Fexofenadine had no effect on peripheral IL-5 and eotaxin levels.

Conclusion: These results indicate that fexofenadine suppresses both eosinophilia and systemic anaphylaxis, both of which are fundamental reactions in allergic diseases.

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